Leycesteria, Elisha's Tears, Himalayan Honeysuckle, Pheasant Berry 'Golden Lanterns'

Leycesteriaformosa

Family
Caprifoliaceae (cap-ree-foh-lee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Leycesteria (ley-ses-TER-ee-uh)
Species
formosa (for-MOH-suh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Deciduous
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Maroon/Burgundy
White/Near White
Cream/Tan
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From hardwood heel cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
By simple layering
By stooling or mound layering
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Cawston, British Columbia

San Anselmo, California

Averill Park, New York

Cincinnati, Ohio

Albany, Oregon

Brookings, Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

Harbor, Oregon

Hubbard, Oregon

Millersburg, Oregon

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania(2 reports)

Lexington, Virginia

Seattle, Washington

Vader, Washington

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Gardener's Notes:

7
positives
0
neutral
1
negative
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C
ROSLINDALE, MA | March 2014 | negative

I planted one on the edge of my vegetable garden in part shade. It performed well its first season, but then over the next two years it d...Read More

M
M
Hanover Twp., PA (Zone 6a) | September 2012 | positive

This year it became so dry I had to take a hose to my garden to save some plants. This shrub began to wilt and then the foliage turned b...Read More

P
| July 2012 | positive

This plant just 'appeared' in my garden 2yrs ago, it's 6ft tall now and seeding itself around the garden in several places. Even though ...Read More

R
R
Lexington, VA (Zone 6a) | August 2007 | positive

We've grown this plant for several years now and have found when planted in full sun or brighter light the foliage continues to produce r...Read More

I
Hope, BC (Zone 7a) | June 2006 | positive

Have experience with this plant at work at a show garden, but my 2 are new to my yard, first season. I have learned they don't enjoy bein...Read More

C
| October 2005 | positive

Hi, I Live in The Snowdonia National Park in Wales In The UK. This plant grows very well in my garden. It does not care what soil or lig...Read More

K
K
(Zone 7a) | August 2005 | positive

I absolutely love this plant. It's so lovely to my eyes. I have a saying when I see a pretty flower. I say, "That's some pretty stuff" LO...Read More

D
D
| October 2003 | positive

I have two specimins in the garden (Luton, UK) one by a pond and another which masks an usightly shed. They were bought in 3 litre pots a...Read More

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